fyzygy

In that case I'll definitely be hunting for roots. Do mesembrine alkaloids (like SSRIs) inhibit the effects of other psychoactive plant medicines? Or would they (like MAOIs) potentiate them? I have my suspicions, but wonder what others might be able to report.

Compared with S. tortuosom, I'd say fermented/dried A. cordifolia doesn't taste as good in a tea. And neither (for me) did it have as noticeable an effect. I took my samples at different stages of their respective growth cycles (Sceletium stems were dry and woody. Greener Aptenia material yielded a more vigorous fermentation). Alchemica is vastly more experienced in growing, preparing and researching these plants, worth contrasting with my subjective impressions:

Aptenia was found to contain mesembrine alkaloids in significant concentrations, relative to the other taxa examined [e.g. Delosperma, Lampranthus], although these were only 13.6% of those seen in Sceletium. The ethnopharmacological significance of very low alkaloid levels in the majority of genera examined is clear: it would be almost impossible to achieve any pharmacological response from genera other than Sceletium, since approximately 60–80 kg of plant material (fresh weight) would have to be ingested to achieve a response. It is clear also that since Aptenia lacks mesembrenone its ‘fermentation’ would fail to produce elevated levels of this alkaloid. ^ from a 1998 article that may be of interest. https://sci-hub.ru/https://doi.org/10.1076/phbi.36.3.173.6350

https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2024/09/drug-test-pregnancy-pennsylvania-california/

Unwanted gifts, mainly concerned with economic/legal/drugs policy in Africa. Could be of interest to someone here? Let me know.

Nitazenes in fake Xanax, ecstasy tablets and "THC" vapes? Sheesh.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_Australian_seasons I lived briefly in the NT, where they had only two seasons: Wet and Dry. Elsewhere I've lived in Oz, the standard is four - probably derived from European observation. But maybe it's an (increasingly?) open question. Along the lines of, how long is a piece of string? What happens when species X doesn't return some year? Any thoughts?

https://medium.com/@adamdemartino/you-cant-eat-technology-325f604fe394 Mycelium needs a middle ground, a happy medium.

I prefer the quieter acoustic tunes, full of melancholy. Thanks for sharing, and keep at it!

I'd like to get my hands on cuttings/plants of S. tortuosum, S. emarcidum, or any other cultivars known (first-hand) to be active. To buy or trade. PM if you can help out. Thanks.

This article gives three (or four) possible explanations (including deliberate user - not dealer - contamination): https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/5/4/17307296/cocaine-opioid-crisis-fentanyl-overdose. A fuller explanation would be ... "all of the above." The following sentence reminded me of SayN's comment: In other words, accidental contamination seems probable, as the EPA seems to be aware: https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/remediation-fentanyl-contaminated-indoor-environments. Alas, with great power (or potency) comes great responsibility.

Olive oil – described as “liquid gold” in Homer’s Iliad – is renowned for its health benefits. Not only is it delicious, it is anti-inflammatory, good for the gut, beneficial for the heart, and may even help us feel happier and live longer. Scientists are now turning their attention, however, to the murky, brown and previously discarded by-product of its production – olive mill wastewater (OMW) – and have discovered it may be an even more powerful superfood. OMW is left over after olives have been ground and their oil separated – a watery residue squeezed out from the remaining mulch. It was previously considered a bit of a nuisance as, if not properly managed, it can contaminate surrounding soil and water, but now it is being commended for its protective and anti-inflammatory potential. After hearing reports of olive farmers who had taken to drinking it for health reasons, researchers became intrigued and started investigating the waste product. They found that instead of being useless, this dark, bitter and cloudy liquid is just as – and maybe even more – nutritious as its source. OMW is full of healthy plant-based compounds, or phytochemicals, particularly polyphenols, which contribute to gut health, among other benefits. In fact, OMW is thought to contain at least 10 times the amount of phytochemicals as extra virgin olive oil, which is already considered a rich source. Italian scientist Adriana Albini, a pioneering professor of cancer research and the first Italian to be elected to the American Association for Cancer Research’s board of directors, has been studying OMW for the last 10 years. She has run studies on OMW extract with her team and found that it may be helpful in both the prevention and treatment of certain cancers, including those of the lung, prostate, colon and breast. Other research has shown that OMW may support exercise recovery, improve metabolic markers, and has the potential to help cardiovascular and neurological conditions. “Plants can’t run,” said Albini. “Their only defence is to produce secondary or tertiary metabolites, which ward off parasites. Many of these metabolites are poisons and we know that in certain concentrations, poisons can be therapeutic. “Arsenic, for example, can be helpful in treating leukaemia. So the idea is that these metabolites can help defend us from cancer. What plants use for their health, we can also use for ours.” Eating foods rich in these beneficial plant-based chemicals, like those found in the Mediterranean diet, is linked to a decreased risk of developing diseases. OMW contains at least 30 different types of polyphenols, among which hydroxytyrosol was the most abundant, said Albini. Also found in both olives and olive oil, hydroxytyrosol could, research has shown, help brain and heart health, as well as reducing inflammation, which is good for overall health. Source: https://www.theguardian.com/food/article/2024/aug/24/nonna-caterina-was-right-olive-oil-wastewater-heralded-as-new-superfood

Speak of the devil ... https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-27/australia-nitazenes-drugs-naloxone-nightspots-harm-minimisation/104233180